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How to Prune Lantana Download ArticleExplore this Article methods 1 Pruning in the Spring 2 Trimming after the Growth Period Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Reviewed by Ben Barkan
Last Updated: August 30, 2024 Fact Checked
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This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 115,671 times.
The lantana plant is a bright, colorful floral shrub that grows best in warm, sunny climates. Pruning is optional with lantana plants, though it helps them grow full, luscious flowers and look their best. If you want to prune your lantanas, trim their stems and remove damaged areas before their growing season in the spring. In addition, you can cosmetically prune your lantana in the summer and fall. Simply grab a pair of pruning shears and make some snips!
Things You Should Know
Prune in late winter or early spring to stimulate new growth.
Trim stems down to 6–8 in (15–20 cm) with pruning shears. Make cuts at a 45-degree angle to encourage healthy growth.
Completely remove any damaged or decaying areas.
In the summer and fall, prune selectively to shape the plant and get rid of fading flowers, withered stems, and unattractive branches.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Pruning in the Spring
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1 Prune your lantana before it blooms for best results. Typically, lantana plants bloom through the spring and fall. Trim your plant in the late winter or early spring before it hits the growth period for optimal flower yield.[1]XResearch source
While you don’t have to prune your lantana plants, it helps them spur new growth and look great in your garden.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you can prune your lantana plants in June.
2 Trim the stems of your plant to 6–8 in (15–20 cm) to rejuvenate it. If you want to trigger new growth, cut all of the stems to about 6–8 in (15–20 cm). Use pruning shears, and make your cuts at a 45-degree angle.[2]XResearch source
The fresh cuts encourage the plant to grow new stems and leaves.
Cutting your stems at a 45-degree angle helps the plant recover from the wound more quickly and stay healthy.
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3 Cut away damaged areas to keep your lantana healthy. If you notice any damaged or decaying areas on your plants due to frostbite or other problems, it is best to remove them while pruning in the spring. To do this, line your pruning shears up to the stem at the start of the discoloration, and make a clean snip at a 45-degree angle.[3]XResearch source
You can cut the damaged stems down to the ground or leave them between 1⁄2–1 ft (0.15–0.30 m), based on your personal preference. If you want a shorter shrub, chop it to the ground.
This way, your plant will not waste any valuable nutrients on withered stems.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Trimming after the Growth Period
Download Article
1 Prune selectively in the summer and fall to shape your plants. If you’d like to shape your lantana plant as it grows, you can cosmetically prune it during the growth season. While this is not required, it helps your plant maintain its shape, fit in the garden bed or container, and look attractive.[4]XResearch source
Lantana plants grow very quickly, so feel free to trim your plant as you see fit.
2 Remove any fading flowers, withered stems, and unattractive branches. Start at the bottom of your plant and begin trimming away any discolored flowers, brown or yellow stems, and long branches. Use pruning shears to make your cuts. Make your snips along the stem at a 45-degree angle to encourage healthy growth. Work your way around the plant until it looks gorgeous and green rather than faded and droopy.[5]XResearch source
To remove an entire stem, make your cut at the base of the stem.
If removing parts of the plant, cut along the stem in between 2 leaves.
3 Cut your plant down by one-third if it looks unkempt. If your plant looks overgrown, trim around the shrub to get rid of about one-third of its total mass. Make snips around the sides and top of your plant using pruning shears. Snip the stems at a 45-degree angle. Prune your lantana plant until it looks great, based on personal preference.[6]XResearch source
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, this likely occurs by September or October.
Don't worry about making the shape perfect, as lantanas grow quickly and any uneven areas will soon be filled in.
For example, if your lantana is outgrowing its garden bed, snip the plant back so it is contained inside the space.
4 Make small snips around the crown of your plant to clean up the shape. To do this, smooth the crown of your plant by snipping away long branches, extending leaves, and extra flowers. This keeps your lantana plant looking bush-like and controlled. You can do this once in the late summer or early fall or 1-3 times a month, based on your desired look. Position your shears at a 45-degree angle when you make your cuts.[7]XResearch source
If you are pruning a vining lantana plant, snip from bottom to top. Pruning vining lantanas helps give them a full, dense appearance.
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Expert Q&A
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Question Can Lantana survive a freeze? Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Expert Answer While Lantana can survive mild frost, if the temperature falls below 28 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant will die. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 16
Question How often do you water Lantana plants? Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Expert Answer This varies between regions, however, a simple soil test using your finger can determine watering needs. If the soil is dry to the touch after inserting a fingertip, then watering is needed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 5
Question How do you prune hydrangeas? Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Expert Answer You can prune hydrangeas to either improve the size and vitality of the blooms or for aesthetic reasons. You should prune using appropriate cutting instruments after blooming is complete. While not absolutely necessary, removing dead or faded flowers during the blooming season can make way for new blooms. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 1
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Tips
Lantanas are very forgiving plants. You can prune the plant and they will quickly grow back. You can see fresh sprouts in 3-4 days.[8]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Always wear thick gloves to protect your hands when using cutting tools. Keep cutting tools away from children and pets. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
To avoid spreading contamination or disease between plants, clean your cutting tools both before and after use and between cutting individual plants. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings
Always wipe down your pruning shears with alcohol before and after you use them to prevent contamination or the spread of diseases.[9]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 115,671 times. 33 votes - 91% Co-authors: 8Updated: August 30, 2024 Views: 115,671 Categories: Growing Flowers | Growing Trees and Shrubs In other languages Spanish German Dutch French
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Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Pruning in the Spring 2 Trimming after the Growth Period Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Reviewed by Ben Barkan 
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Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 115,671 times. 33 votes - 91% Co-authors: 8 Updated: August 30, 2024 Views: 115,671 Categories: Growing Flowers | Growing Trees and Shrubs In other languages Spanish German Dutch French 
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1 Prune your lantana before it blooms for best results. Typically, lantana plants bloom through the spring and fall. Trim your plant in the late winter or early spring before it hits the growth period for optimal flower yield.[1] 
2 Trim the stems of your plant to 6–8 in (15–20 cm) to rejuvenate it. If you want to trigger new growth, cut all of the stems to about 6–8 in (15–20 cm). Use pruning shears, and make your cuts at a 45-degree angle.[2] 
3 Cut away damaged areas to keep your lantana healthy. If you notice any damaged or decaying areas on your plants due to frostbite or other problems, it is best to remove them while pruning in the spring. To do this, line your pruning shears up to the stem at the start of the discoloration, and make a clean snip at a 45-degree angle.[3] 
1 Prune selectively in the summer and fall to shape your plants. If you’d like to shape your lantana plant as it grows, you can cosmetically prune it during the growth season. While this is not required, it helps your plant maintain its shape, fit in the garden bed or container, and look attractive.[4] 
2 Remove any fading flowers, withered stems, and unattractive branches. Start at the bottom of your plant and begin trimming away any discolored flowers, brown or yellow stems, and long branches. Use pruning shears to make your cuts. Make your snips along the stem at a 45-degree angle to encourage healthy growth. Work your way around the plant until it looks gorgeous and green rather than faded and droopy.[5] 
3 Cut your plant down by one-third if it looks unkempt. If your plant looks overgrown, trim around the shrub to get rid of about one-third of its total mass. Make snips around the sides and top of your plant using pruning shears. Snip the stems at a 45-degree angle. Prune your lantana plant until it looks great, based on personal preference.[6] 
4 Make small snips around the crown of your plant to clean up the shape. To do this, smooth the crown of your plant by snipping away long branches, extending leaves, and extra flowers. This keeps your lantana plant looking bush-like and controlled. You can do this once in the late summer or early fall or 1-3 times a month, based on your desired look. Position your shears at a 45-degree angle when you make your cuts.[7] 
Maggie Moran Home & Garden Specialist Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.